guitar questions

[SCWDP911]

I have seen a more than a few here play, so I thought I would pose this question to get some advice.

My 13yo son has been taking guitar lessons for the past 6-7 months now. He is doign really well with it. I have been very pleased to see that he has agenuine interest in learning the right techniques through much practice, unlike me when that age and thought I was EVH because I could play a few bar chords! I am constantly hearing him practice without any prompting from mom and dad. So, after chatting with his instructor, I decided he has earned the move him up in guitars to something of better quality. I wanted to ask people independent of his instructor, as while he is a ncie guy, he does work for the music store in a way where they sell a couple of brands of guitars.

My son would like another (better) acoustic... yeah, I was a bit surprised by this, but pleasantly surprised at this point. He seems to like the thinline style guitars, I guess they are semi hollow maybe, not sure. Anyway, I am just after opinions on best bang for the buck, considering, I probably will only spend $150 or less on it at this point (6 kids, 5 of which are all taking various music lessons - ouch!). I have found some Fenders and Washburns in the price range, but wondering if there is a better choice. I know this may be like starting a "best motor oil" thread in tech, but also wanted to ask if anyone had a decent setup for sale in that price range as well. I appreciate any feedback on the matter.

BTW, I am also looking for a set of e-drums as well... for my 9 year old.

Thanks

[Rick Lee]

I got a great Takamine Jasmine NIB a few years ago for $160. I wouldn't gig with it, but it's great for playing around the house. I used to go to the GUitar Center by my house and every time I'd go into the acoustic room and play the cheapest and most expensive guitars they had. Honestly, I didn't feel or hear too much difference between the $200 beaters and the $6k fancy Spanish guitars. I think the best bang for the buck is in the $900-$2000 range. My next one will be either a Martin or a very well used Gibson Dove.

[craigster59]

I agree w/ Rick about Takamine. I've seen lower end Takamines blow away more expensive guitars. Alvarez are great bargains and for a little more money, a Seagull S6.

[sammyg2]

I used to love my ovation. Like a takamine but with a little tinnier sound.

[nostatic]

What style of music? There are a few choices to be made...neck width (narrower for strumming work, wider for fingerstyle), body size (dreadnaught for strumming/louder, 000 or 00 or Orchestral for fingerstyle), steel or nylon string (usually nylon for classical guitar, steel for everything else). Of course there are exceptions.

If he is serious, imho it is worth it to buy a good guitar. $150 isn't really going to get you that, but it will get you a servicable instrument. Takamine is pretty good in the bang/buck category. I have always liked Martins and have an OM-21 that I bought off eBay a few years back.

If you have someone you trust who knows about guitars, buying used is a great way to save some money. There are tons of lower end Martins out there for under $1K. And they tend to be pretty stout guitars.

For new, I would try and stretch to closer to $500. you can get a pretty nice instrument for that amount of money.

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

Washburn makes some nice stuff these days..

[SCWDP911]

Thanks for the replies guys.

nostatic - I understand your thoughts, but I am still a liuttle hesitant about a bigger money guitar until I see him put another year or two into it. He is doing REALLY well, but it has stil only been less than a year at this point. Also, we have 6 kids total, and let's just say, they are very good at hide and seek, especially the finding part. Just a little nervous until the luittle guy (now 4) maybe get a couple of years older.

[porsche911girl]

I got a Yamaha Dw-5s acoustic a few years ago for $349. It's the best-sounding acoustic guitar I've ever heard or played, sounds better than most $1k+ guits.

Just my .02 cents

[stuartj]

Originally Posted by v8_ranch

Thanks for the replies guys.

nostatic - I understand your thoughts, but I am still a liuttle hesitant about a bigger money guitar until I see him put another year or two into it. He is doing REALLY well, but it has stil only been less than a year at this point. Also, we have 6 kids total, and let's just say, they are very good at hide and seek, especially the finding part. Just a little nervous until the luittle guy (now 4) maybe get a couple of years older.

YOu will get an absolutely serviceable instrument for a 13yo for a coupla hundred bucks. Encourge him to drag it around to his friends houses and play play play. Be happy if he wears it out. Rarely hurts the guitar anyway.

Frankly the quality available now at the cheap end is amazing.

Couple of years ago, it was my pleasure to give my then 14yo my first "decent" guitar which I got at the same age. Nothing special, an Ibanez Concorde (Hummingbird knockoff)- but its now vinatge, and still in very good nick. We went over it, he learnt about how guiatrs age and change and need to be set up and adjusted. He loves it. He has a vintage axe.

Any of the mid range Takamine, Ibanez, Yamaha (ima big JPN guitar fan meself)- your boy will think marvellous. They paly good, they are well made. If you have a knowledgable friend who can guide /advise, all the better. Check out second hand. You'll get him a bargain if you know what to buy at that 250-500 end of the market.

A great gift for young'un, music. A living thing and friend for life.

[Nathans_Dad]

I'm a beginning guitar player and I currently play a borrowed Ovation for my acoustic. One of these days I will get around to buying my own acoustic guitar. I have been noodling around in the guitar stores and I do like the Seagulls. They sound great and aren't that expensive. You can get an S6 for about $350-400.

[sammyg2]

Which ovation? I had the ovation legend and loved the neck and sound.